Cross Collar Grip

The Cross Collar Grip is a fundamental and versatile grip in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu used to control your opponent's posture and set up sweeps, submissions, and positional advancements. It involves gripping your opponent’s lapel on the opposite side of their body (hence "cross collar") and is particularly effective in gi scenarios where the fabric of the kimono provides a secure anchor.

Key Features of the Cross Collar Grip

Grip Placement

  • Your hand grips the opponent’s far-side lapel (opposite to the gripping hand) near or below their collarbone.
  • The fingers go inside the lapel, with the thumb outside, creating a secure hold.

Depth of Grip

  • The grip can be shallow (near the collarbone) for control or deep (near the neck) for submissions like the Cross Collar Choke.

Tension and Direction

  • The grip is used to pull the opponent’s upper body toward you, disrupting their Posture and Base.

Uses in BJJ

Posture Control

  • From positions like Closed Guard or Mount, the Cross Collar Grip breaks the opponent’s posture by pulling their head forward and down.

Submissions

Sweeps

  • Combines well with sweeps like the Scissor Sweep or Flower Sweep to off-balance your opponent while controlling their posture.

Takedown and Standing Control

  • From a standing position, the grip can be used to control their movement and set up trips or throws.

Guard Passing Defense

  • The Cross Collar Grip from Open Guard or De La Riva limits the opponent’s ability to break your guard or advance position.

Advantages

  • Provides strong control over the opponent’s posture and upper body.
  • Sets up high-percentage submissions like the Cross Collar Choke.
  • Disrupts the opponent’s Base and mobility by pulling them off balance.
  • Versatile across multiple positions, from standing to ground.

Tips for Effective Use

Adjust the Grip Depth

  • Use a shallow grip for general control and a deeper grip when setting up chokes or submissions.

Apply Consistent Pressure

  • Pull the lapel downward to keep the opponent’s posture compromised.

Combine with Body Mechanics

  • Use your legs, hips, and Angles to maximize the effectiveness of the grip, especially when setting up sweeps.

Maintain Tension

  • Keep the grip snug and avoid leaving slack in the lapel to prevent the opponent from easily breaking your grip.

Common Mistakes

Weak or Loose Grip

  • A weak grip on the lapel can allow the opponent to posture up or strip your control.

Overcommitting

  • Relying too heavily on the grip without transitioning or advancing can make you predictable or expose you to counters.

Poor Angle

  • Gripping without creating proper Angles can limit your ability to effectively use the grip for sweeps or submissions.

Grip Fatigue

  • Over-squeezing can cause unnecessary hand fatigue, particularly in longer exchanges.

Variations and Combinations

Cross Collar Grip to Cross Collar Choke

  • Use the grip to set up the classic Cross Collar Choke by adding a second hand to grip the opposite lapel.

Cross Collar Grip with Sleeve Control

Cross Collar Grip to Arm Drag

  • Use the grip to pull the opponent’s upper body forward and transition into an Arm Drag for a back take.

Cross Collar Grip for Guard Retention

  • Use the grip to pull your opponent’s upper body forward, preventing them from passing your Guard.

The Cross Collar Grip is a cornerstone technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that emphasizes control, Pressure, and setup opportunities for both offensive and defensive maneuvers. Mastery of this grip allows you to dictate the flow of a match and effectively implement sweeps, submissions, and positional strategies.